The Utah State Senators have a resolution (HCR002) on their calendar to discuss regarding Utah’s obesity problem.  The Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics would like each Registered Dietitian to contact their personal State Senators and ask them to support the resolution (Not sure who your senator is?  Follow this link to find out: http://www.le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp)

What are you asking them to support?

This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes obesity as a significant public health and economic issue in Utah and urges support of policy development that addresses the obesity problem in Utah and promotes public awareness of the adverse effects of obesity on individual health.

This resolution:

–   recognizes obesity as a serious public health and economic issue impacting Utah;

–   expresses support for improving the health and lifestyles of adults and children in Utah by promoting activities that encourage healthy weight;

–   supports policies that promote increased access to healthy food and physical activity; and

–   recognizes the need to support initiatives to educate the Utah public about solutions to the obesity epidemic.

To learn even more about this resolution, follow this link: http://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/static/HCR002.html

Please take the time to send your state senator an email or give him/her a phone call so that they know that Registered Dietitians do care and that we want to be (and should be) involved in improving Utah’s overall health and fighting obesity.

Thank you in advance for your time and support,

Emily Vaterlaus, State Policy Representative

Rickelle Richards, Public Policy Coordinator

PS. Need help knowing what to write?

Feel free to copy and paste this into your email (and add whatever relevant professional experience you have to make it a personal message):

Senator __________,

As your constituent and as a Registered Dietitian, I ask that you support HCR002 Concurrent Resolution to Reduce Obesity in Utah.  The senate sponsor for this bill is Senator Allen Christensen.  Based on my education and professional experience, I strongly support this effort to reduce obesity in our state.  I join with the Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (UAND) in recognizing that the obesity problem in Utah needs careful attention and truly is a significant public health concern.  Utah’s Registered Dietitians are happy to speak to the current research and practice regarding obesity prevention, weight management, and general nutrition for Utahns.  Please feel free to contact me directly or professional association with any questions regarding this issue our state faces.

Sincerely,

(insert your contact information here)

Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Email: utah@eatrightutah.org